Here are the winners from the Quality Foods Children's Sandcastle Competition, held on a beautiful Sunday morning, August 22.

Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed the day, and also to out many QF volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time and talents to make this another memorable QF community event!

Ages 6& Under
1. Wagon & Dalmation: "2 Dolphins", Chloe & Kayden Huismen-Wing 5&6yrs., Courtenay BC
2. Bouncy Castle: "Double Tree" Kayden & Colby Vansten, Age 5, Qualicum Beach
3. Bike: Bryn McGorman, 4 yrs., Parksville, BC

Ages 7 - 9
1. Gund Bears: "Team Devon", Devon Vickery, 9 yrs, Victoria, BC
2. Sony Stereo: "Ocean Hunters", Jordan, Emma, Catherine 7 & 9 yrs., Nanoose BC
3. Bike: "Iguana Have Fun", Taylon Squire & Jamie Morrison , 9 yrs , Parksville, Victoria BC

Ages - 10 to 12
1. iPod System : "The Croakers", Linsay Pilton, Kyla Squire, Sophie , 12yrs Parksville, BC
2. Wii : "The Pig Pen ", Ciara, Auriana, Justin 11 & 12 yrs. Parksville, BC
3. Bike: "The Sand Otters", Jacob, Nicolas, Jonathan , 12 yrs Parksville, BC

Fireworks Spectaculars Canada (FSC) of Calgary, who designs and produces our QF Festival of Lights fireworks shows, won International Gold at the recent International des Feux Loto-Quebec in Montreal.

FSC Owner Brad Dezotell had described the award as “the most prestigious in the world of fireworks”, and was very excited for the win. “I felt we performed well enough to be on the podium, but this was beyond expectations based on what we had seen from some tough competition, especially Sweden,”

Sweden took silver and France the bronze awards.

The gold award-winning entry entitled “Heroes” , performed on July 24, also captured the People’s Choice award. The full media release can be found:
here

Having worked and grown along side Brad Dezotell and FSC for many years, we are extremely proud to be a part of such a defining success for their company. This award puts into perspective the calibre of shows we offer in our Quality Foods communities, attracting well over 100,000 estimated viewers over the six-show series.

There are two QF Festival of Lights shows this weekend, simulcast to your favourite TV show themes:
Friday night at at Willingdon Park in Powell River simulcast on 95.7 SUN-FM
Saturday night at Parksville Beach simulcast on 88.5 FM The Beach

For the first time on Friday Sept. 3, FSC will perform the QF Festival of Lights event in Port Alberni.

You could call it the rapid response team and you wouldn’t be far wrong, says Major Rolf Guenther. The community services coordinator for the Mount Arrowsmith Community Ministry of the Salvation Army made the comment Tuesday in response to a generous donation sparked by a newspaper story from the previous day. “I got a call first thing in the morning from the manager of Quality Foods in Parksville,” Guenther said. “He said he had read the story in The News and they were willing to donate one pallet of food, which we definitely need.” Guenther said he was impressed by the speed of the response. “That’s a marvellous response to a newspaper story in The News,” he said. “It’s just great. It shows people read The News first thing in the morning.” On hand to lend some muscle at the Salvation Army’s loading dock was Quality Foods Parksville store manager Guy Sigouin. “In our company we read the paper on a daily basis to make sure we know what’s happening in the community,” Sigouin said. “We saw you had an article in the paper about there being a huge need right now at the Food Bank, so on behalf of Quality Foods we felt we would make a $5,000 donation of Campbell’s products.” Sigouin said it didn’t take long to get things into gear once the need was identified. “It started happening at 10 a.m. this morning and at 11 a.m. it’s here,” he said. “We know the great work [the Salvation Army] does in the community, and we want to be good community sponsors.” Guenther said the Salvation Army has had to cut back on what they give out to needy families because the demand has more than tripled over the past three years. “We had to reduce what we give, because we just don’t have it,” he said, noting that as the summer progresses, more donations will be needed.
Quality Foods store manager Guy Sigouin helps the Salvation Army’s Major Rolph Guenther load $5,000 worth of food donations into the warehouse in French Creek Tuesday. - Neil Horner photo, PQB News.

QF Blu By U Wins "Best Local Team" at the 2010 Save On Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival!

In an impressive field of 81 dragon boats this year, we are pleased to report that our QF Blu By U team placed fourth overall. Of those teams, approximately two dozen are local, with QF Blu By U capturing the "best local team" honours. We are extremely proud of the commitment, dedication and hard work the team has shown over the years in their efforts to raise funds for breast cancer research

QF Blu By U has taken home the same trophy in 2004, 2006, 2009 and again this year.

Congratulations to the coaches, managers and paddlers for their outstanding efforts!

"Twenty-four years ago, we started the very first of many annual sandcastle competitions right here on Parksville beach. We had one store at the time in Qualucum Beach," recalls QF Director of Operations Ken Schley. "It somehow seems fitting that we have gone full circle. It's our first year of our title sponsorship of the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, and the first year that it's a qualifying event for the World Championships this September."

The winners of this event will advance to the finals in Federal way Washington.

"The field of talent competing this year was exceptional, and the results of these artists bringing their best is evident in the sculptures," remarks Rob MacKay of Quality Foods. MacKay, Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and local artist Brian Middleton were the three non-competitor judges for this important event. "Speaking for the judges, we really enjoyed the process yet never lost sight of what is at stake for these competitors."
"I hope everyone gets an opportunity to see the level of talent and dedication to the craft on display at Parksville Beach until the middle of August."

Results for the 2010 Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Scuplting Competition ar as follows:
Solo Sculptors:
1st: Bruce Waugh, Langley
2nd: David Ducharme, Winlaw, B.C.
3rd: Melineige Beau Regard, St-Hippolyte, Que.
4th: Marc Lepire, Wendake, Que.
5th: Fred Mallett, Port Aransas, Texas

Teams:
1st: Sandboxers, Victoria
2nd: Orbital Sanders, Seattle
3rd: Cutting Edge, Parksville

Competitors’ Choice Awards
Solo: David Ducharme, Winlaw, B.C.
Teams: Orbital Sanders, Seattle

People's Choice Awards are determines by ballot of the general public visiting the displays.

For more information on the Quality Foods Canaian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition, please visit Parksville Beach Festival Society

Quality Foods continues their support of health care in the communites where they do business by adding to the Quality Foods Community Health Care Endowment Fund.
A cheque for $15,000 is presented on behalf of QF customers to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, who administers the fund.
The donation is a result of twenty-five cents from each Becel, Dempster’s and Canola Harvest product during January and February in all Quality Foods stores.

Photo, from left to right:
Represnting all QF stores: Gord Groves, QF Bowen Road and Allan Schley, QF Northridge; Accepting the cheque is Amber Adams, Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation

Our new store opened in the Driftwood Mall in Courtenay on April 8 - WOW, What an exciting event!
We are thrilled with the warm reception we have received from Courtenay and other Comox Valley residents and businesses. In fact we had people from all different areas of Vancouver Island! To name a few: Cumberland,
Royston,
Union Bay,
Fanny Bay
Black Creek,
Merville
Qualicum Beach
and many, many more!

Thanks to everyone who came out in support of your new store!

Planning a vacation to spectacular Parksville Beach? Why not make it a fun family event and take part in our annual Children's Sandcastle Competition and KidFest? The 2010 event will be held on Sunday August 22. Watch this space a little closer to the time for more details and visit KidFest. Oh, and remember to arrive the night before (Aug. 21) for the amazing QF Festival Of Lights fireworks simulcast to music on 88.5FM The Beach!

For Immediate Release
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Ken Schley as the 2009 recipient of it’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Coastal Community Credit Union Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the past presidents of the Chamber recognizing the individual’s support of the business community, their history of achievement, their commitment to Qualicum Beach and their multi-dimensional impact on the community and their industry.

“Ken represents everything we outlined in the criteria for this award” said Past President Po Wan, chair of the Past Presidents committee that selected this year’s recipient. “He has had a tremendous impact on this community ever since he saw the opportunity to open Qualicum Foods in 1982. Ken has shown extraordinary leadership as head of the Quality Foods Team. Over the past number of years Ken has been honoured by the BC Food Brokers for Outstanding Leadership, voted into the Hall of Fame by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, recognized as one of the Best Managed Companies by Deloitte and in 2005 Qualicum Foods was honoured as the Best Grocery Store in Canada. The same year Qualicum Foods was one of only 31 grocery stores in the world recognized for their design of the store and the only one in Canada to receive such recognition. In 2008 Ken was the recipient of the Golden Pencil, the highest award given in Canada to an individual in the industry. Last weekend Ken received the highest honour British Columbia has to offer for his leadership in the industry… and that’s just some of the highlights” added Wan.

As the Director of Operations of the Qualicum Foods Team, Ken’s leadership and vision for the stores has been equaled by his vision for his home town. “One only has to look at the sponsorship posters for most of the events in our community to know that QF is involved. There isn’t much that would happen in our community without their support” said Wan. “We are truly a better place to live, work and play because Ken Schley made the decision to move here, raise his family and be a part of this community 28 years ago and we are proud to honour his achievements and contributions to his industry and Qualicum Beach” she added.

Nominations for the Community Awards close Friday, February 12th in the categories of Best New Business, Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Customer Service, Best Business and Volunteer of the Year. Presentation of the Community Awards will be Wednesday, March 17th at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Awards Dinner tickets are available at the Chamber office at 124 West 2nd Avenue, Qualicum Beach.

The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce has been the “Voice of Business” in the community since 1927.

For Information:
Judi Ainsworth, General Manager, Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 250-752-0960 or 250-738-0155, Cell: 250-951-3700, Email: chamber@qualicum.bc.ca

Ken Schley, Quality Foods' Director of Operations was honoured on Feb. 7 with a Leadership Achievement Award. The award presentation was held jointly by the Phoenix Food & Drug Group and the Food Executives Club of Vancouver at Newlands Golf Club in Langley, with about three hundred guests in attendance. Manufacturer Steve Maddeaux od Old Dutch Foods was also recognized asa 2010 award recipient.

Small things make all the difference and in Qualicum Beach you won't find big box stores and fast food chains.
Instead there are many unique shops and services that have a style and character all their own--just like their owners! Fashion boutiques, art galleries, bookshops, antique stores, florists, home décor studios, bakeries, cafés, fine restaurants... all of them add to the personality of our town and the quality of our lives. Have a look at how the beauty of small message is spreading.

The Newman's Own Foundation and Quality Foods raised funds through sales of Newman's Own products in all Quality Foods stores during a recent promotion. The funds raised represented the first corporate donation toward the new Renal Dialysis Centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
"It's a start"', says Rob MacKay of Quality Foods. "They are looking to raise at least $540,000 for this critically needed facility..." Read more

Qualicum Foods has been awarded the regional Gold Award for British Columbia/ Yukon, then advanced to capture the National Silver as part of the Independent Grocer of the Year Awards program. The honour was accepted by QF partners Ken Schley and John Briuolo on behalf of their store people at the Oct.27 Canadian Federation of Independent Grocer’s (CFIG) Annual Awards Dinner in Toronto.
The Gold Award for the BC/Yukon region has gone to a Vancouver Island Quality Foods store for five consecutive years. “We are thrilled that our stores continue to strike a chord with the industry, and more importantly, with our local shoppers,” remarks Schley. “To have received this award despite more entries than ever, and more intense competition than ever, is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our people every single day. This is a proud day for them.”
The award, in the large store size category, was awarded to the store in large part because of their strong and consistent participation in community activities, being a good corporate citizen in general and creating a positive workplace, among other factors. “The fact that all nine of our eligible QF stores received Awards of Merit for the third straight year gives us great momentum and confidence going into the Courtenay community where a brand new QF store is just weeks away,” comments Schley.
The Independent Grocer of the Year Awards program is designed to recognize outstanding Canadian Grocers based on a rigorous evaluation performed from the consumer’s perspective. Held in conjunction with Grocery Innovations Canada, the premier grocery trade show for Canada’s grocery industry -- the Independent Grocer of the Year Award and Master Merchandiser Awards recognize excellence in grocery retailing among independents. Hundreds of grocery stores nationwide competed in this year’s program.
For more visit www.cfig.ca

The Canadian Master Merchandiser Award is awarded to the independent grocer who best demonstates effective merchandising through store displays, community involvement and building strong relationships between retailrs and suppliers. This year, Quality Foods of Harewood submitted an entry that encompassed each of these qualities and was rewarded with the coveted National Gold in the large store category.
“This award is special for us because it represents a passing of the torch to the next generation of grocers in our group,” states Ken Schley, QF Director of Operations. "The Scott Tournament of Hearts provided us a good teaching tool to show how grocery retailing, store team building and community involvement dovetail together for exceptional shopping experiences." “A lot of people worked very hard for this, and the results were remarkable. We’re very pleased and excited to return and share this achievement with them.”

Quality Foods Director of Operations Ken Schley of Qualicum Beach received a rare and time-honoured award at a special ceremony in Toronto on November 24, 2008.
Originally called the 'Knights of the Golden Pencil Award', the Golden Pencil Award was first presented in 1957, recognizing outstanding individuals in the Canadian food industry.
“This recognition is considered the highest honour for any individual in our entire industry,” comments Noel Hayward, one of Ken’s two long-time business partners. “Recipients can be retailers, manufacturers, distributors or any part of the food industry for that matter.”
The symbol used for this Award is a Golden Pencil, signifying the transaction between supplier and retailer by the stroke of a pen. The award itself consists of an actual golden pencil held on a plaque honouring the recipient as well as a scroll, and place on the "Knights of the Golden Pencil Wall of Fame".
On an annual basis, the Nominations Committee reviews suggestions made by both the Executive Committee and the industry at large. The selection process normally will encompass as many as thirty to forty worthy candidates. The criteria for selection is an individual who, through career dedication, has made a significant and worthwhile contribution to the Canadian Food Industry.
Ken has been an active voice for independent grocers both regionally and nationally in such areas as the Beverage Container Stewardship Program. As well he is a past chair of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. With the vision of business partners John Briuolo and Noel Hayward. and Ken’s direction, Quality Foods proved that customer service and community involvement are much more than subtle niceties, they are a core part of the company’s identity and success. At the same time Quality Foods has become associated with pioneering technology in every area of the retail grocery business from the front end to the back office and online. Some ‘firsts’ include the Canadian grocery industry’s first electronic loyalty card (1990) and Western Canada’s first online grocery store (1996). In 2005 Quality Foods ushered in a new era of customer interaction where shoppers choose their own specials.
The Golden Pencil Award is administered by the non-profit Food Industry Association of Canada in cooperation with all sectors of the food industry.

For Immediate Release
Qualicum Foods named Platinum Merchandiser
The Canadian Master Merchandiser Award is awarded to the independent grocer who best demonstates effective merchandising through store displays, community involvement and building strong relationships between retailrs and suppliers. This year, Qualicum Foods of Qualicum Beach submitted an entry that encompassed each of these qualities and was rewarded with the coveted National Gold in the large store category, then went on to take home the Platinum Award for best entry across all categories.

“This award is special for us because our entry was based on “25 Years in the Bag” as a wrap up to our 25th Anniversary celebrations,” states Ken Schley, QF Director of Operations. “A lot of people worked very hard for this, and the results were remarkable. We’re very pleased and excited to return and share this achievement with them.”

The Independent Grocer of the Year Awards program is designed to recognize outstanding Canadian Grocers based on a rigorous evaluation performed from the consumer’s perspective. Held in conjunction with Grocery Innovations Canada, the premier grocery trade show for Canada’s grocery industry -- the Independent Grocer of the Year Awardand Master Merchandiser Awars recognize excellence in grocery retailing among independents. Hundreds of grocery stores nationwide competed in this year’s program.
For more visit www.cfig.ca or
QF Contact: Rob MacKay, Quality Foods, 250-248-4004.